Becoming more conscious of and admitting to existing or developing problems is a necessary first step to adopting behavioral changes for nutritional health as well as successful weight management. It is important to find a good balance from early on.

When I stand in the changing room of the bathing suit store I feel a sense of panic wash over me. Why does my cellulite seem so much more obvious in here? Are those stretch marks getting bigger? How did 20 new moles suddenly appear all over my body?

Imagine a world where we didn't live our lives according to what the haters said? If we were comfortable to be free and confident in our own skin? I am not my tummy, or my stretch marks or any of my other flaws, rather, they are a part of me.

For those of you who've been thinking that it's been far too long since the internet has given us a way to judge and hate our bodies, you can relax because there's a brand new "am I skinny enough?" challenge fresh from China that's trending like crazy, called the "belly button challenge."

Whenever I dropped weight it was stunning how people suddenly started speaking with me again at family functions and started acknowledging my existence. Of course, whilst they pressured me to devour the high fat food they had prepared. Instead of boosting my confidence, it reminded me that people can be fickle jerks.

What's wrong with being authentic about your body, taking some pride in it and pushing yourself beyond healthy comfort zones in order to discover the sex-positive, beautiful goddess that you are? Pictures won't suck your soul, but the trolls will try.

Let's not get caught up in the media body trend of the week. Let's fight for everyone's body to be seen in mainstream media and stop hiding behind myths and excuses as to why someone is better than someone else.

I was on the beach, happy to be alone. I was minding my own business, which is not allowed when one is fat. It's everyone's business. A beautiful redhead jogged past me wearing a pink string-thing. In a soft voice, she introduced herself as Melissa, and then said she hoped I wouldn't be offended. I work for a diet company and we have these amazing appetite suppressants..."

This is not going to be an article about the obscenely disgusting phenomenon known as body shaming and why it's so terrible. Instead, let's take a look at the inspiring reactions of most recent celebrity victims and how we can all learn to love ourselves a little more, thanks to them.

I don't ever want my kids to see me avoid participating in something because I'm worried about how I look, but I also want to feel comfortable and relaxed, which I find difficult in any kind of bathing suit. So thank you to the women who wear bikinis in front of my daughters, for showing my girls that confident women come in all shapes and sizes.

We women face unnecessary scrutiny regarding our bodies. Those who weight-shame will often use the excuse that they are just concerned about our health; but rather, it stems from paternal, controlling judgement. We need to love the woman in the mirror, to embrace our individuality and celebrate our unique selves.

As parents, we have an obligation to counter the messages and images that our children are bombarded with, particularly now. If we don't put a stop to it, we're destined to have a whole generation that is not only insecure, but psychologically scarred as well. Here are some tips to help your tween/teen.

There's always going to be "the next hottest trend" trying to sell you on how you can have the best mind blowing, knock your hipster-socks off kind of sex. You know, the good-good kind of get-down. Yet, what is the actual key to having a great sex life? Eating more kale? Practicing vaginal weightlifting? Cultivating perfectly pruned pubes?

I'm a feminist, but that doesn't mean want to see your bush. Let me explain. I spent my morning at a water spa in the city. An important part of this scenario is that bathing suits are optional. Great! Cool! I'm a modern lady! I've seen Dove commercials! Nakedness is no problem for me. EXCEPT THAT IT FOR SURE WAS!!!!!

My journey to achieve the perfect body started when I was 14. The objective -- tall, thin, cellulite-free with smooth skin and beautifully toned abs -- you know the look. If 'thigh gaps' and 'bikini bridges' were in at the time, I would have added them to my list of things to obsess over. In some ways I came pretty close to achieving the "dream body" that I obsessed over in magazines but I never expected that I would lose everything important to me along the way.

2014 may have been the year of the nipple (#FreeTheNipple), but 2015 is definitely the year of the bush (#PubeGame). Pubic hair is so popular right now, it's vogue. From mild to moderate tuffs, harbouring tiny strands of love in between your legs has been all the rage so far this year and it has no intention of slowing down.